A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes a plurality of engine starting devices and an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, the method determines whether or not to inhibit automatic engine stopping so that a lifespan of an engine starting device may be extended. In one example, the inhibiting is based on a ratio of an actual total number of engine starts generated via the engine starting device to an actual total distance traveled by the vehicle since the engine starting device was installed.

A controller for a vehicle, the vehicle including an engine and a transmission gear device, the controller includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (i) stop the engine automatically when predetermined engine stopping conditions are fulfilled, the predetermined engine stopping conditions including fulfillment of a shift position condition of the transmission gear device, (ii) start the engine automatically when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since a change in shift position, and (iii) change the waiting time depending on the duration of an automatic stop of the engine.

A driver assistance apparatus for a vehicle may be provided with Idle Stop and Go (ISG), and the driver assistance apparatus may include: an interface configured to receive information; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: receive, through the interface, driving information of the vehicle; and based on a determination that the vehicle is stopped in a first state in which the ISG is enabled or that the vehicle is stopped in a second state in which a gearshift of the vehicle is engaged in a Park (P) mode and an engine of the vehicle is turned on, perform a stopping operation for the vehicle based on the driving information of the vehicle.

A method for controlling restart of a vehicle is provided. The method includes allowing the vehicle to enter into an ISG state and allowing the vehicle to actuate the Auto Hold. Whether the vehicle fulfills a condition for releasing the Auto Hold is then determined and operation of the Auto Hold is released in response to determining that the vehicle fulfills the condition for releasing the Auto Hold. Additionally, the method includes determining whether the vehicle fulfills a condition for releasing the ISG and releasing the ISG and restarting an engine in response to determining that the vehicle fulfills the condition for releasing the ISG.

A system and method for operating an automatic start/stop system in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an automatic transmission and a torque converter with an impeller disconnect clutch is disclosed. A controller may implement an engine start/stop system by, at appropriate times, stopping engine by halting fuel and restarting engine when propulsion is needed. During an engine start/stop event, the engine is automatically shut down and the impeller clutch of the torque converter may be disengaged to decouple the impeller and the engine to provide for fuel and emissions savings.

A vehicle includes a first sensor, a second sensor, an engine, a fuel supplying device, and a control device. The control device includes a first sensor detecting unit, a second sensor detecting unit, a vehicle status detecting unit, and a control unit. The control unit is switchable among a regular state, a start-stop enabling state, and an idling-stop state. The control unit switches into the start-stop enabling state from the regular state once the control unit determines that the first sensor and the second sensor are both triggered. The control unit further switches into the idling-stop state and controls the fuel supplying device to stop supplying fuel once the control unit determines that the vehicle status meets an idling-stop condition.

A vehicle which can improve fuel consumption without a driver feeling uncomfortable is provided. The vehicle includes: a hydraulic pressure sensor for acquiring a brake torque value which increases in accordance with a stepping-in amount of a brake pedal by the driver, and an ECU which automatically stops an engine after a basic time has elapsed since a basic condition is satisfied and then automatically restarts the engine. The ECU automatically stops the engine before the basic time elapses, when an increment of the brake torque value from a reference value after the basic condition is satisfied is equal to or greater than an additional stepping judgment value, and a shortened time shorter than the basic time has elapsed.

A vehicle start-stop system includes an engine and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the system in a first mode when a first input is selected, and in a second mode when a second input is selected. The controller is further programmed to inhibit engine stop in response to being in the first mode and an evaporator temperature having a first value, and stop the engine in response to being in the second mode and the evaporator temperature having the first value.

Outdoor power equipment includes an internal combustion engine including an electric motor, a battery receiving port, a rechargeable battery removably attached to the battery receiving port, wherein the rechargeable battery is configured to power the electric motor to start the engine, an implement driven by the internal combustion engine, a release mechanism movable to an engaged position to put the implement in a ready-to-run condition in which the implement is ready to be driven by the engine, a run sensor configured to detect the ready-to-run condition, a switch actuated by the release mechanism, and a control module coupled to the switch so that the switch provides a signal to the control module when the release mechanism is in the engaged position and the control module turns on the electric motor to start the engine in response to the signal from the switch and the run sensor detecting the ready-to-run condition.

A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake operation by a driver, an engine stopping/re-starting unit that, during coast drive, stops an engine based on the amount of brake operation that is detected, and, after the engine stops, re-starts the engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected falls below a first threshold, and a first threshold setting unit that sets the first threshold smaller as vehicle speed becomes lower.